CRT Socket

Abstract

There is disclosed a new and improved socket for making electrical connections to the pins on the neck of a cathode ray tube. The improvement includes a plurality of first conductive contacts which are arranged to engage the pins of the cathode ray tube and which include an elongated planar portion from which a cylindrical projection is integrally formed. A second conductive contact which is also planar in configuration includes a corresponding plurality of holes therein. Each of the holes has a diameter larger than the diameter of the cylindrical projections for receiving a corresponding one of the cylindrical projections. The improved socket further includes a planar insulating member positioned between the first and second conductive contacts and having a corresponding plurality of holes therein. Each of the holes of the insulating member has a diameter smaller than the corresponding hole in the second conductive contact but at least as large as the diameter of the corresponding cylindrical projections. As a result, a spark gap is formed radially from each cylindrical projection to the periphery of each hold in the second contact.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
       1. In a socket for making electrical connections to the pins on the neck of a cathode ray tube, the improvement comprising: a plurality of first conductive contacts for engaging said pins, each of said contacts having an elongated planar portion a part of which is integrally formed into a cylindrical projection from the plane of said elongated portion; a second conductive contact having a planar surface spaced parallel to said planar portion of said first contact with a corresponding plurality of holes therein, with each of said holes having a diameter larger than that of the corresponding cylindrical projection, for receiving the corresponding ones of said cylindrical projections; and a planar insulating member positioned between said first and second conductive contacts and having a corresponding plurality of holes therein, with each said hole having a diameter smaller than said corresponding hole in said planar conductive contact but at least as large as the diameter of said corresponding cylindrical projection, whereby a spark gap is formed radially from each said cylindrical projection to the periphery of each said hole in said second contact; and further including a substantially ring-shaped housing having a central opening, with a predetermined axial dimension defining a cylindrical inner surface and wherein said inner surface includes a plurality of axial slots for receiving and positioning said contact portions within said central opening, for receiving the cathode ray tube neck; and wherein said first contacts are circularly arranged with each said first contact including a portion projecting into said central opening for engaging the cathode ray tube pins; and wherein said housing includes a plurality of slotted terminal support means radially spaced from said cylindrical projections and extending axially from said housing, and wherein each of said first contacts includes a terminal extension extending axially from said first contact elongated planar portion and received within said slotted terminal support means. 
     
     
       2. A socket as defined in claim 1 further including a substantially ring-shaped cover for enclosing said second contact and said first contact elongated planar portions within said housing. 
     
     
       3. A socket as defined in claim 2 wherein said cover includes radially projecting portions arranged to be received within said slotted support means when assembled to said housing for lending rigidity to said terminal extensions. 
     
     
       4. A socket as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing further includes a base portion having a through bore, and wherein said socket further includes a third contact having an elongated portion extending transversely across said bore, a contact portion extending into said central opening for engaging a corresponding pin of the cathode ray tube, and a first electrode carried by said elongated portion and facing axially into said bore; and a fourth contact disposed within said bore and having a second electrode facing said first electrode, said first and second electrodes forming a secondary spark gap for voltages substantially higher than those for said first and second conductive contacts. 
     
     
       5. A socket as defined in claim 4, and further including a substantially ring-shaped cover arranged for engaging said housing in assembled relation, wherein said housing includes a first annular wall means defining a portion of said through bore, and wherein said cover includes a second annular wall means arranged to be received over said first wall means when said housing and said cover are assembled for providing a double wall chamber for said first electrode within said through bore to thereby substantially minimize high-voltage breakdown within said socket. 
     
     
       6. A socket as defined in claim 4 wherein said third contact is further adapted to be connected to a high-voltage conductor extendable through said through bore and wherein said fourth contact is adapted to be connected to a ground-connecting conductor. 
     
     
       7. A socket as defined in claim 4 further including a substantially ring-shaped cover arranged for engaging said housing in assembled relation and wherein said housing and said cover define a curved extension of said through bore, and strain relief means adapted for supporting a high-voltage conductor within said curved extension when in said assembled relation.